Hotel in Miami and road trip

Question

We are a family of 3 travelling to Florida for 9 nights during Easter time in April this year. we fly in and out of Miami. Our flight arrives around 10 pm and we wanted a suggestion for a decent area in Miami for staying overnight and then perhaps able to explore a little bit on foot the following day. It needs to be convenient to get from the airport, do a decent orientation of Miami following morning and also convenient to be able to hire a car without having perhaps to go back to the airport. This hotel could be useful for us on the return day as our flight also does not depart Miami till about 10pm. We plan to hire a car on the first day or the second day and travel around covering (not set in stone) Key west, Clearwater beach, Sarrassota, Orlando (no theme parks), St Augustine, Jacksonville, Kennedy Space centre and then back to Miami. If anyone has any pointers for the proposed road trip and what to look out for as for the car hire, please do let us know. I have not hired a car outside of Europe as of yet.

Answer

Hi! Traveling to Florida for 9 nights with a mix of city and coastal destinations sounds fantastic. Here’s a detailed guide to help you plan your Miami hotel and road trip efficiently.

Overnight Stay in Miami (Arrival & Departure Nights)

Since your flight arrives around 10 pm and your departure is also late evening, you’ll want a hotel that is:

Close to Miami International Airport (MIA) for convenience on arrival and departure.
Safe, walkable, and with some nearby dining options so you can explore a little the next morning.
Near car rental facilities or with easy access to one without returning to the airport.

Recommended areas:

Downtown Miami / Brickell: About 15–20 minutes from the airport. Modern hotels with good amenities, easy access to coffee shops, breakfast spots, and short walkable areas for orientation of Miami city. Brickell Key is nearby for a short riverside walk.
Coconut Grove: 20–25 minutes from the airport. Quieter, leafy area with cafes, parks, and a small marina—nice for an easy morning stroll before picking up your rental car.
Miami Beach (South Beach area): Around 25–30 minutes from MIA. Walkable for beach and dining, but traffic can be busier; good if you want a very Miami Beach vibe first thing in the morning.

Car Rental Tips:

Book in advance online—Easter is a busy period and cars can run out quickly.
Major rental companies (Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, Alamo) have desks at MIA and many also have off-airport locations in Downtown/Brickell.
Check the car insurance coverage—your home insurance or credit card may cover international car rental, but confirm for U.S. coverage.
Pick a vehicle suitable for your route—if going to Key West, a smaller car is easier to maneuver, but ensure it has enough trunk space for luggage.
Remember tolls: Florida has several toll roads. Consider renting a SunPass with the car to avoid paying manually at toll booths.

Proposed Road Trip Itinerary (Miami as Start/End):

Day 1: Arrival in Miami, overnight in Miami hotel near airport or Brickell.
Day 2–3: Drive to Key West (approx. 4 hours). Explore Duval Street, beaches, and scenic points. Overnight in Key West.
Day 4: Drive north to Sarasota (~6 hours). Stop along the way at scenic areas if desired. Explore Sarasota in the evening.
Day 5: Sarasota area: Visit beaches, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, or nearby nature preserves.
Day 6: Drive to Clearwater Beach (~1.5 hours from Sarasota). Enjoy beach and casual waterfront dining. Overnight near Clearwater.
Day 7: Drive to Orlando (~2 hours). Explore downtown Orlando, Lake Eola, or Winter Park for a walkable, cultural day (no theme parks). Overnight in Orlando.
Day 8: Drive to Kennedy Space Center (~1 hour) or St. Augustine (~2.5 hours from Orlando). Choose based on your interest—both have great history and nature options.
Day 9: Visit Jacksonville (~2 hours north of St. Augustine) if desired, then start heading back to Miami (~5–6 hours), or spend extra night along the way if preferred.
Final Night: Overnight in Miami for your late-night departure.

Additional Tips:

Consider traffic patterns: Florida highways around Miami, Orlando, and Tampa can be busy around rush hour, plan accordingly.
For long drives, bring snacks and water; some areas between cities are sparsely populated.
Book hotels in advance—Easter is high season in Florida.
For Key West, book as early as possible; limited rooms and high demand can make it expensive if left to last minute.

By starting and ending in Miami, staying near the airport/Brickell for the first and last night, and planning your drives with rest stops, you’ll have a well-paced trip with minimal stress and a chance to see a variety of Florida’s coast, towns, and attractions.

Hotel in Miami and road trip

More Florida (FL) Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions